Thursday, 7 December 2017

‘We will welcome the guests with the tilak and maang teeka for the ladies and broach for the gents’,

‘Yes, that will look really nice and new’

‘But didi, it’s a baby shower. Not a wedding function’

‘Let it be, it will look nice’

‘Mummyji, I was thinking to have the badges made like mommy-to-be, daddy-to-be, grandma-to-be, etc. They’re really in these days.’

‘No. I don’t think it’s a good idea. We’ll do the maang teeka thing’

Hearing this, Neeta took a deep breath and let it go with a sigh.

***

‘After checking with everyone, I think 31st December will be the best date for the baby shower. Moreover, it’s a Sunday so it won’t be a hassle for the outstation guests. We’ve shifted the date so many times… I’m glad it’s fixed now.’

‘Looks good to me’

‘As it is an afternoon function, we will be free by evening. Also, it will be New Year’s Eve, we should plan a small party for our guests. A bonfire, good snacks and a cake at 12 am… wouldn’t it be wonderful?’

And there Neeta stood… flustered with the idea. It will be her 9th month of pregnancy. It was her baby shower for which everyone was so excited. Except her. She was happy only from the outside.

It will be so much of strain for her. First, to have a function in the afternoon and then another on the same day where she won’t be able to sleep before the clock strikes midnight. This was worrying her more than anything.

‘Mummyji, it will get really stressful for me. Let’s keep the function on any other date. It will be too much on the plate for me having back to back functions with all the guests in the house’

‘I doubt we’ll be able to shift the date. You don’t worry. It won’t be a problem. You can rest. We’ll handle everything. You sleep early, no problem’

‘How can I sleep early with so many guests in the house, mummyji? It will not look nice. Moreover, I don’t want to. I too would want to enjoy with everyone. Won’t it be much more convenient if we shift the dates?’

Yet, once again, her opinion was ignored and the things were carried on according to the whims and fancies of everyone in the family, but her.

Neeta was anyway a bit reluctant towards the idea of celebrating it large. She didn’t want any gathering or guests or celebrations. All she wished for was the safe arrival of her bundle of joy and then throw a party for everyone. Obviously, what she thought never mattered to the family and everyone continued with their party planning.

Just like this, her suggestions and ideas were ignored in every aspect. Be it the food menu, or the venue or the timings or the photographer or the gifts or the preparations and the funny thing is it was her baby shower!

Breathing it all out, she calmed herself out and wore a smile every day, not for anyone else but for her own mental peace and sanity!